The mother of a baby is the most busy person on earth, when she is not very gathered about her daily routine vis-à-vis the baby.

Breast feeding

Everyday she has to bother about  the baby’s feeding, sleeping, clothing, changing and bathing.  It is the best to feed your own milk to the child. Please do not forget to give her the first milk of yours because that would contain colostrums, which is vital for the immune system of the child.   Mother’s milk will always create the body resistance and the child will be a healthy one in future.

When you are breast feeding your child, the food that causes problems in your body may be communicated to the baby as well. Foods that cause gas or cold should be avoided or the baby will have uncomfortable state or congestion.

Bottle feeding

If you are bottle-feeding your baby for some reasons, then make sure that the bottles are well sterilized and clean. Scrub them with washing liquids.  Boil them for 25 minutes to kill unwanted organism that may have developed in it due to the fermenting milk. Steam sterilizer and cold sterilizer methods are also there, about which one has to consult with an expert and should see to it that those are readily available in the market.

Baby sleeping

The materials needed to put the baby to sleep are  a good, firm mattress, sheets and blankets. Keep one feet distance from the nostril range of the baby if you are lying along with your baby on the same bed. There should not be unnecessary clothing or clothes around the baby’s body and bed which may cause temperature rise and heating.  The baby is not going to talk about it, and you should be sensitive enough to remove the body coverings as much as possible.  There should be a mosquito net, or at least a netted covering around the baby to keep away the flies and the mosquitoes. 

Clothing

Summer clothes should be light cotton ones. When the baby is taken out, make sure that his head does not get the direct sun.  In winter, there may be sweaters, trousers and other woolens.

Changing

The baby’s diapers should be regularly changed.  The intervals should be fixed according to the baby’s routine of potting and wetting.  Despite the routine, the baby may need changing because of  untimely nature calls at times. It is the baby’s right to feel dry at every moment.  See to it that the bed is not wetted and the smelly clothes and bed sheets are removed.

Bathing

The baby needs a mouth washing with cotton.  A bath tub large enough to hold it and is easy to wash should be made available. The baby should enjoy the water which can be assessed if  leg splashing which is very distinct. The baby should be rubbed with baby oil and baby cream. The nail clippers should be used at bath time.  After bath, the baby should be thoroughly dried and should be applied with a baby powder.

Immunisation

The baby should be immunized against Small Pox & Measles with BCG within 3 months of its age. The first DPT (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Psertussis, Polio, HIB, Meningitis C) is due within the first 2 months followed by the 2nd and the 3rd one at one month intervals. The MMR vaccination  against Measles, Mumps and Rubella should be done within 1 years of age.  The boosters should be taken after the baby is 4 years old.

Training and Education

Though regular training and teaching should not be started before the age of three years, the child’s habits and sense of discipline is cultivated through the discipline the mother maintains. When the mother is calm against odds like the baby fever, or baby dysentery while making sure of the treatments, the child gets the idea to be calm against disastrous times.

The most important babycare tip

The parents should find enough time to spend with the baby.
 

Baby car seats can prevent serious injury to your child in the event of an accident. It is the law that all children under the age of twelve should be seated in the back seat. This is especially true if you have airbags in the front.

From the time you bring your baby home from the hospital, s/he should be placed in an appropriate car safety seat. Infants must be in a rear facing infant only seat or an appropriate convertible seat until s/he weighs twenty pounds or reach the age of one. After twenty pounds and after the first birthday, toddlers can use a forward facing seat until they reach approximately forty pounds or their ears reach the top of the car seat.
Over forty pounds, a child must be in a seatbelt positioned booster seat.

Your car seat  belts should not be used by a child under the age of eight unless they are four feet nine inches tall. A booster seat should be used until then. There are many different types of booster seats are available.

Your child should be appropriately restrained at all times. Your child will not be ready to use regular seatbelts until the shoulder trap fits across the shoulder not the neck. The lap belt must fit across  the hips and not his stomach.

When installing car seats the manufacturer’s directions must be followed exactly. if you don’t have them call the company for a replacement. The car seat will have a label which will have the  manufacturer, the address, and the phone number. It will also show the name of the car seat. You must have this information to get a replacement. If there is no label on the seat do not purchase it. It could be a seat that was damaged in a car accident.

If you are purchasing the car seat second hand, inspect it thoroughly. Check all the belts for fraying, all fasteners for cracks, and the padding of the seat to be sure it is not ripped or torn. Always check to see if there is a label on the seat, it will have the information you need if there is no manual available. Ask questions such as has this seat been in a crash?
If so, do not purchase it. It may look fine but its safety may have been compromised. There could be a misalignment of the frame resulting in your child’s safety being compromised.

No matter what type of seat you purchase, and there are many, consider how much you can spend. If expense is a concern a convertible travel system maybe in order. A rear-facing car seat can be used as a front facing car seat until the appropriate age. There is a base that remains in the car. The infant/toddler car seat then can be attached to a stroller frame and later it can reattach to the base that’s in the car. Check out your options and consider what will be best as far as expenses are concerned. Do your research and determine what will be best for you and your child. Always, the first concern should be the safety of your baby from day one.

It is important to know what type of seat your vehicle will accommodate.
Your car owner’s manual or a dealer will be able to tell you what is compatible with the vehicle you own. It is an overwhelming choice to make but begin looking for a car seat when you find out you are expecting. A well informed choice will keep your baby safe.
 

Mastitis is perhaps the most distressing problem you may encounter when attempting to breastfeed. You have been making it through the sleepless nights, the relentless feeding schedule, the diapers, the leaking… when all of a sudden you want to stop breastfeeding. Why?

Mastitis is the answer. One of your breasts is engorged. There is a slightly red patch which is painful to touch. When the baby feeds it’s extremely uncomfortable. After the feed your breast feels sore. You dread the next feed… and then you begin shivering. You think you have the flu. You have hot and cold sweats. You have a thumping headache. You retire to your bed and feel utterly miserable. Visitors encourage you to give the baby a bottle so you feel like you’ve failed… but there is a solution.

In most cases mastitis affects only one breast at a time. So what causes it?

Most often a new mum, whether or not she has previously breastfed, will suffer mastitis as a result of incorrect positioning or latching on of the baby. Consequently the milk is not properly drained from the breast and a milk duct becomes blocked. Other reasons include skipping feeds because you don’t want to feed in public or in front of visitors, or the baby is sleeping and you do not want to disturb him.

If you recognise the sensation of a blocked milk duct you may be able to avoid it progressing into mastitis by gently massaging your breast in the bath or shower. Massage downwards towards the nipple. You may feel a small lump which disappears as the duct becomes unblocked. You can also try feeding the baby more often and again massaging the sore area towards the nipple as the baby drinks. Another effective technique is to try expressing milk with the aid of an electric or hand pump. However, if all your efforts are in vain and the duct does not unblock mastitis will often follow. Mastitis is simply when the blocked duct becomes inflamed and possibly infected.

Current medical advice is to continue feeding from the affected breast even if it is infected. The infection will not harm the baby. However, the last thing you may want to do is to feed from the affected side at all as it is so painful. This will only make things worse and you may end up with an abscess. If this happens you will need to have the abscess drained by a doctor.

If you are worried about your baby drinking milk from the affected breast a good alternative is to express and dispose of the milk and to feed only from the unaffected side. Your body will adapt. It will continue to supply enough milk for your baby from the unaffected breast. And as long as you express regularly from the affected breast the milk supply will be maintained. You produce breastmilk on a supply and demand basis so there will always be enough. When the infection clears up you can simply return to your usual feeding pattern.

If you do get mastitis and it does not clear up within a few hours you will probably require an antibiotic so speak to your GP. Make sure to tell him you are breastfeeding so a suitable antibiotic can be prescribed.

To avoid a recurrence make sure you position the baby properly. Ensure he is not sucking on just the nipple but that he has a good mouthful of the areola also. Try to sit upright or if lying down do not lie on the breast. Make sure the baby is tummy-to-tummy with you, his nose and mouth facing the breast and that he is not creating a blockage with his chin or a hand or arms.

Mastitis usually clears up completely within a couple of days so put it in perspective. Don’t give up breastfeeding because you have mastitis. Instead ensure you don’t get it again; position your baby correctly, feed on demand and avoid skipping breastfeeds.
 

Do you want your baby handed to you immediately after the birth or should he be cleaned first? In recent years most babies were wiped down with a towel immediately after birth before mum or dad got a chance to hold them. Nowadays choice is the keyword! It’s your decision.

Research shows that the greasy film covering your baby, vernix, is a wonderful source of moisture for your baby’s delicate skin. And if you don’t wipe it off, it is reabsorbed. So your baby will be less likely to develop dry skin patches. Pre-term babies have much more of this protective layer than full-term babies.

In the womb your baby is submerged in amniotic fluid, so vernix is absolutely necessary for providing waterproof protection. After birth, however, mother nature may need a helping hand!

Returning home can be daunting for new parents. Giving baby his first bath can be terrifying!

Your baby does not need a special bath although many parents are well tooled up for the new arrival. A clean sink or the big bath will suffice!

Probably the main worry for parents is getting the water temperature correct. After ensuring you have all baby’s bits and bobs at hand, such as a changing mat, towel, fresh nappy, vest and clean clothes, place the baby in a safe place.

Run cold water into the bath first.

Top it up with hot water. Swirl the water around to avoid hot spots.

Dip your elbow into the water to check the temperature. It should be lukewarm. As the skin on your elbow is very sensitive it is a reliable way to test the water.

If you like you can add a little moisturising, hypoallergenic, baby bubble bath. Swirl it around with your fingers. Young babies do not need bubbles to play with!

Undress and wrap baby in a warm towel. Holding him over the bath, cup some bath water in your free hand and gently run it over his head. Shampoo is not necessary for very tiny babies as it can irritate their scalp.

Dry the baby’s head thoroughly. Babies lose a lot of heat through their heads. Wet heads lose more heat.

Placing baby’s neck in the crook of your elbow, and your hand holding the back of one of his legs, gently lower him into the water. (TIP If you are right-handed it is easier to place babies neck in the crook of your left elbow. Holding his left leg with your left hand, wash him with your right hand. The reverse is the case if you are left-handed.)

Some babies hate being bathed but many really enjoy it. He may become so relaxed that he falls asleep!

Cupping some water in your free hand gently trickle it over his body. Your do not need to rub or scrub as babies do not get dirty. They just need to be freshened up!

Be careful as he will get very slippery once he is wet!

Only keep baby in the bath for a short time as he will get cold quickly and never leave your baby unattended in the bath for even the shortest space of time.

Lift him out and wrap him up in his warm towel.

Quickly dry him and place a fresh nappy on him before he has any little accidents!

Finally, give him a big cuddle and dress him quickly…

And there you have it - baby’s first bath!